Bathrooms are usually the most overlooked room in the house. Safe. White. Practical. Predictable.
This one? None of the above. What started as a clean but characterless bathroom has been completely transformed into a colour-drenched, joy-filled space that proves small rooms are the perfect place to take big design risks. Style director Louise Hilsz shares her makeover.
Style director Louise Hilsz bathroom makeover
The original bathroom did its job. Neutral cabinetry, white walls, minimal contrast — perfectly fine, but entirely uninspiring. It was the kind of space you used without ever really seeing it. There was no personality, no sense of fun, and nothing that reflected my style. The first stop was Resene to get some colour inspiration. I knew I wanted every surface covered in a bright colour. I settled on Resene Ballerina paint for the toilet, Resene Riptide paint for the bathroom and Resene Southern Cross paint for the trims.
Resene Ballerina paint, Resene Riptide paint and Resene Southern Cross paint available from Resene Colour Shops.
The goal wasn’t subtlety. The goal was impact. This makeover was about leaning fully into colour, pattern and playful design — creating a bathroom that feels more like an experience than a utility. Think unexpected colour pairings, graphic shapes, and a confident “more is more” approach that throws conventional bathroom design out the window.
The transformation is unapologetic. Minty greens, punchy yellows, candy pinks and bold graphic detailing collide in the best possible way. The vanity becomes a statement piece rather than background furniture, wrapped in colour and pattern that instantly draws the eye.
I went to Simon Ward from Hierographics who cleverly wrapped the cabinetry and door in a Memphis themed designed, including a wild holographic pink shower door.
Even the smallest details have been considered — from painted trims to playful accessories — creating layers of visual interest that make the space feel curated rather than chaotic.
IKEA BLODBJÖRK Vase, $12. Ecoya Keepsake Diffuser 1, $90. IKEA SLÅNHÖSTMAL Bath towel, $15. Areaware Dusen Dusen Everybody Tissue Box, $119.
The adjoining toilet, once stark and separate, now feels like a continuation of the story, embracing contrast with checkerboard flooring and vibrant walls that turn a once-forgotten corner into a design moment of its own.
This bathroom makeover is a reminder that your home doesn’t need to follow trends or rules — it needs to make you feel something. In this case, that feeling is joy.
So if you’ve been staring at an all-white bathroom wondering whether colour is “too much,” consider this your sign. Take the risk. Paint the trim. Choose the bold accessories. Let your bathroom have a personality - because boring was never the goal.
Here’s some inspiration.